Beverley Rugby Club

Beverley RUFC entertained Old Brodleians in the last match of the season at Beaver Park in this Yorkshire League Division 1 game and what a cracking match it turned out to be.

Brodlieans kicked off towards the clubhouse and as Beverley mounted an attack up the right flank an interception from a sloppy pass in the Beverley backs led to a try to Brods in the third minute (0-5). Play then settled down with each side sharing possession in the midfield.

With several of their most influential players absent, this looked like being a tough afternoon for Beverley. Not a bit of it. This was an altogether absorbing match and a fine performance by the young Beverley side.

In recognition of the Club’s annual Ladies Day, they turned out in pink shirts and flowery shorts but mercifully did not play accordingly. Far from being a drab end of season affair, this was a cracking game with some top quality play by both sides.

Beware the ides of March. But not this week. After the dismal affair a week ago at Dinnington Beverley were back on top form securing another outstanding bonus point win – the seventh in their last eight games.

Crossleyans started the match only one point behind Beverley but never really got a look-in and Beverley comfortably cruised home scoring six tries in the process all of which Phil Duboulay converted in difficult conditions.

What a match. This was what proper rugby at its best is all about. Two sides at the top of their game going hell for leather for eighty minutes – and with never a hint of ill-temper from start to finish. The result could have gone either way.

After a 66 point feast of scoring only two points separated the sides at the end and neither could have complained at the outcome whichever way it went. Beforehand there was an air of expectancy. Beverley arrived here on the back of four consecutive bonus-point wins and Heath’s recent record was not much inferior.

New year, new Beverley. After a disappointing late autumn in which they rather lost their way Beverley in 2019 look to have recaptured the early season spark that had them riding high in Yorkshire One.

Following their impressive win the previous week against Pontefract this was another first-class display and another well earned victory. Moreover, for most of the game, they did it with fourteen men after Alfie Hart-Fisher had been red-carded early on for dangerous play. They owed a lot to their pack which even down to seven men still ended the game looking the stronger of the two sets of forwards.

Beverley RUFC started the second half of the season entertaining Pontefract on a cold and grey day, but at least dry conditions underfoot made the prospect of some good rugby realistic and so it proved.

In September the Beavers secured a victory over Pontefract in the corresponding fixture over in the West Riding. Results since then shown that Ponte has improved substantially and they currently sit fourth in the table, with 13 points more than Beverley.

A good natured crowd, a fast game, and a tight finish; this was a good day’s rugby. After three defeats in their last four league outings Beverley badly needed a win here.

Not to get one was a disappointment and they now find themselves languishing in mid-table. It wasn’t for the want of trying and there was plenty of enterprise but in the end they could have no complaint at the final result.